Design Buy Build Issue 31 2018 - Page 24

HERITAGE COB & LIME
T
here is nothing new about lime
mortar, it has been around for
thousands of years since before
the early Egyptians. The properties of
lime mortar have long been recognised
for being a strong, flexible and permeable
building material, and family run business,
Heritage Cob and Lime based in Bideford,
North Devon, have seen a steady increase
in both clients and other builders wanting
to know and understand more about the
use of lime mortar.
With a client base that stretches from
Scotland right down through to Devon
and Cornwall, the company’s mortars and
bespoke plasters are in great demand.
Sarah Rawle heads up the manufacturing
side of the business and she explained,
“Our non-hydraulic lime (fatty lime
mortar) is slaked from premium Buxton
quicklime and matured for a minimum of
4 months, and forms the basis for all our
pre-mixed lime mortars and plasters.”
The company has a list of famous
landmarks that it has supplied mortars
to, including Buckingham Palace and
Windsor Castle. As well as manufacturing,
the company stocks all traditional building
materials, including cob blocks and a new,
innovative clay and straw block called a
Strock.
Working alongside Sarah is father David
Rawle, senior partner and consultant to
the business. Mum Sue Rawle assists with
building quotes, consultations as well
as the mar